Issue

These foreign health products have been found by regulators in other countries to contain undeclared drug ingredients.

The products are not authorized for sale in Canada and have not been found in the Canadian marketplace, but it is possible they may have been brought into the country by travellers or purchased over the Internet.

Unauthorized Foreign Health Products

Product Name(s)

Hazard(s) Identified

Source of Alert

Images

Unauthorized Weight Loss Products

7 Days Slim hip & Legs caps

Undeclared sibutramine

Hong Kong Department of Health

CA NI CAP Arm Slim

Undeclared sibutramine

Hong Kong Department of Health

Perfect Slim by Peenuch capsules

Undeclared sibutramine

Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration

Slim Perfect Legs

Undeclared sibutramine

Hong Kong Department of Health

Other Unauthorized Products

Ure Tonic Herbal Traditional

Undeclared dexamethasone

Singapore Health Sciences Authority

What you should do

Contact Health Canada at 1-800-267-9675 or by completing an online complaint form if you find a product listed above in the Canadian marketplace.

Consult a healthcare professional if you have health concerns related to the use of any of these products.

Read the label of the products you buy to verify that they have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality. Health products that have been authorized for sale by Health Canada will have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM).

Background

Prescription drugs should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

Dexamethasone is a steroidal prescription drug used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and allergic reactions. Side effects include irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, stomach ulcer, blood disorders, skin, muscle and bone damage, and nervous system disorders. Consult with your healthcare professional prior to stopping use, as sudden discontinuation of dexamethasone may cause symptoms of withdrawal.

Sibutramine was previously used to treat obesity but is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because of its association with an increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack and stroke. Other side-effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping, and constipation.